Robert and Jamie's relationship continued into the spring of 1979. They saw each other on weekends and fucked like bunnies. The sex was terrific and the emotional connection grew.
Jamie had given up on getting Robert to be more open about his sexuality, the fact that he was gay. That wasn't going to happen, not while Robert was working for the military, even though he was now a teacher and not active duty.
Robert was generally satisfied with the relationship. It was great having a beautiful young white boy who loved to serve him in bed. He enjoyed their daddy-boy games of mild dominance and submission, and Jamie's eagerness to fulfill Robert's fantasies.
Jamie was a 22-year-old, slim, five foot ten inches tall, swimmers-body blonde with searching hazel eyes, a round butt and friendly smile. He kept fit with regular workouts, often wearing tight skimpy shorts and t-shirt that hugged his body.
Jamie found in Robert one of his fantasy men. He was 32, tall and well-built with muscled arms, powerful thighs, and a prominent butt. He was a dark black man with a deep voice, a big white smile and deep brown eyes who wore his hair in a short afro. He usually wore khakis and a casual button-down shirt hat displayed the strength he had built through weightlifting and running.
There were issues for Robert, including Jamie's naivete about race. The kid had a lot to learn about America's racism and its historic treatment of blacks. Robert did notice that Jamie treated people equally and with respect, something a lot of white folks just didn't do.
The age difference was good and bad for Robert. The ebony stud had little interest in Jamie's talk of pop culture. He did enjoy Jamie's updates on the gay movement, including efforts to allow gays in the military. That would never happen, thought Robert, but he admired Jamie's research and knowledge of the actions going on nationwide.
Robert was concerned about Jamie's feelings for him. The young man was in love with Robert, and Jamie was bound to be hurt. Yet they didn't talk about it, they never even used the word love. Fact is, Robert was scared about his feelings for Jamie. Was he in love? Could he feel that way about 22-year-old white guy?
That week the cherry blossoms were budding near the Jefferson Memorial on the Washington Mall. It was getting warm, and Jamie was rushing the season by wearing a form-fitting t-shirt with a portrait of David Bowie. The owners of the gay Surging Rainbow bookstore insisted on long pants, no jeans, but t-shirts were OK. Jamie's taut torso was one of the reasons customers came to the store.
Jamie had recently begun taking photos for Washington's gay weekly, The Circle. He had met the publisher and several editors through the bookstore owners. He knew the basics of photography through his work on his high school paper.
This week he had taken shots of gay porn performer Luke Dixon's appearance at the store promoting the photo-filled book of his life story. Jamie spent some time with Dixon during the book signing and he seemed like an interesting guy who had fallen into porn after starving as an actor in New York City. Dixon was a star, a big fish in the small pond of gay porn, but he told Jamie he was planning for life once the fame rollercoaster ended.
After work that day Jamie developed the photos at The Circle's office a few blocks away. If the editor approved a shot, Jamie would write a caption. He earned $25 for each photo used, barely enough to pay for the film. Still, he liked the job, enjoyed meeting the people and attending events, and hoped it might lead to other assignments.
That Saturday Jamie headed over to Robert's place for their weekly date. The boy was horny. He had sex only two times since seeing Robert the weekend before. Robert was horny too, though he sometimes went a week without sex. Robert had to be closeted due to his job, and that meant he avoided gay bars and the local adult theatre and bookstores. On rare occasions he would cruise a park late at night, looking for a quick blowjob.
Robert buzzed Jamie in to his third-floor apartment, unlocked the door and opened a bottle of wine.
"Hey stranger, long time," said Jamie coming through the door.
Robert took one look at the blonde in his Bowie shirt and thought, damn, this kid is fine. "How you been, hot stuff?" he said. "Wine or beer?"
"Beer would be great," said Jamie. He was impressed with what he saw as well.
Robert was barefoot, wearing tight jeans and a Navy t-shirt. Jamie came up behind the big man as he leaned into the fridge and hugged him, feeling his powerful back against his chest.
"I missed you mister," said Jamie.
Robert was surprised but squirmed around and held the boy in his arms. "I missed you too. I like you in that shirt," Robert said.
They kissed and held each other. It felt wonderful. Jamie could tell Robert was getting erect. He pressed against him but didn't want to start anything. It was time to relax and catch up. Then they could go to bed or have dinner or whatever.
They went out on Robert's balcony and sat down. He was on the top floor and looked down on a tree-lined street that was buzzing with folks enjoying the evening.
"Robert, why do you buy this Schaeffer beer, this stuff is worse than Schlitz," Jamie kidded Robert.
"That's a working man's beer, you rich white boys always want to drink some imported shit," Robert replied. "What do you want, Hiennie-kin?"
As they watched the street Jamie pointed out a man wearing only cutoffs and tennis shoes. "That guy came into the store, he was flirting with me, then he was flirting with Luke, then he was trying to pick up a guy at our movie section."
"I can't blame him if you were wearing that shirt. I can see your little pink nipples. How many customers try to pick you up, and who is Luke?" Robert asked.
Jamie filled him in on the porn star and other neighborhood gossip, then stood up and went to get a glass of cold white wine in the fridge. He returned to the balcony, set down the glass, and began to massage Robert's shoulders.
Robert pulled away. "Cut it out Jamie," he said sternly, looking around to see if anyone was watching.
"No one can see us, we're up here in the clouds," said Jamie.
"People across the street can see us," said Robert, nodding at the buildings about 50 yards away.
The boy apologized and sat down. They sipped their wine and continued chatting. They went inside to the kitchen, looked through the carry out menus Robert had collected and decided on pizza.
Jamie sidled up to Robert. "I'm sorry I tried to touch you. It's just ... I've missed you," said Jamie.
